Recently we read that publishers no longer look at “slush piles” — stacks of manuscripts submitted by aspiring authors. HarperCollins recently launched “inkpop.com” to help avoid sinking in slush.

Inkpop.com is a place where budding teen authors can showcase their work. You don’t have to be a teenager to submit a story but your story should be aimed at teenagers. Visitors to the site vote on the books they think are best. These become “trendsetters” if they spot one that becomes a “top pick.” HarperCollins hopes to find new authors this way. We looked at the top vote-getter, “Shadow Watchers,“ about a teen who hears voices.